501Notes for Draft of Annual Message, 12 November 1801 [document added in digital edition] (Jefferson Papers)
In complying with my constnl duty of ‘giving to Congress information of the state of the Union ,’ it is matter of great consoln that I have to state no agressions from abroad, no insurrections at home, no extraordinary afflictions by sickness, nor general sufferings from want, no interruptions of the course of civil justice nor new encroachments on the rights of conscience under colour of law....
502From Thomas Jefferson to William Barton, 12 November 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly recieved your favor of Oct. 30. and the honour of your proposition to address to me your treatise on the law of nations. this proof of respect cannot but be flattering to one who entertains a sincere esteem for your person and character. the subject is important, involved in errors & contradictions, which, for the peace of the world, it is very desireable to see rectified. but the...
503To Thomas Jefferson from George Clymer, 12 November 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
An inhabitant of this City, and of my own name, having made some important changes in the structure of the common forcing pump, proceeds with his invention, or improvement to Washington, where he will apply to the proper Officers, for a patent . If he should presume, further, to offer his drawings, and specifica-tion to the inspection of the President, it will be, Sir, in Consequence of an...
504From Thomas Jefferson to Cornelius Coningham, 12 November 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
If the laws had permitted the application of the public money by way of loan to individuals suffering by unfortunate occurrences, I should have had great pleasure in administering relief against the untoward circumstances which render it desireable to yourself. but not a dollar can be applied but in conformity with an appropriation previously made by law, and rigourously exacted by the...
505I. Preliminary Draft: Naturalization, [before 12 November 1801] (Jefferson Papers)
recommend a revisal of the law respecting citizens. every man has a right to live somewhere on the earth. and if somewhere, no one society has a greater right than another to exclude him. becoming indeed a member of any society, he is bound to conform to the rules formed by the majority. but has the majority a right to subject him to unequal rules, to rules from which they exempt themselves. I...
506II. Partial Draft: Appointments and Post Office, [before 12 November 1801] (Jefferson Papers)
You are not unapprised, fel. cit , of the differences of opn which prevaild among our citizens as to the proceedings of the govmt, legislative & Exec; and that all offices were given exclusively to those who thought with the govmt. when I was called to administer the Exve functions, rigorous justice would have required that the proscribed party constituting in fact the bulk of the nation...
507III. Partial Draft: Judiciary, Juries, and Naturalization, [before 12 November 1801] (Jefferson Papers)
Judiciary. The Judiciary system of the US. and especially that portion of it recently erected will of course present itself to the contemplation of Congress; and that they may judge of the proportion which the institution bears to the business it has to perform, I have caused to be procured from the several states and now lay before Congress an exact statement of all the cases decided since...
508IV. To James Madison, 12 November 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Will you give this inclosed a serious revisal, not only as to matter, but diction? where strictness of grammar does not weaken expression, it should be attended to in complaisance to the purists of New England. but where by small grammatical negligences, the energy of an idea is condensed, or a word stand for a sentence, I hold grammatical rigor in contempt. I will thank you to expedite it,...
509V. To Albert Gallatin, 14 November 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson asks the favor of mr Gallatin to examine the inclosed rough draught of what is proposed for his first communication to Congress: not merely the part relating to finance but the whole. several paragraphs are only provisionally drawn, to be altered or omitted according to further information. the whole respecting finance is predicated on a general view of the subject, presented...
510VI. From Albert Gallatin, [ca. 14–15 November 1801] (Jefferson Papers)
Mr Nourse acts, & has for ten years acted, as agent for the disbursements of this department for contingent expences amounting during that period to about 100,000 dollars. On settlement of his accounts there is a deficiency of 202 dollars, arising either from some expence not entered, or for which he had neglected to take a voucher, or from some voucher lost. He thinks it hard, as this was a...
511VII. Calculation of Annual Debt Payment, [ca. 15 November 1801] (Jefferson Papers)
A debt of 21,955,900. D bearing an interest of 1,310,401.50 is to be paid in 8. years, by eql. annl. paimts. what is the annual paiment? if the interest were uniform, it would be of 6. pr. cent wanting an insensible fraction. but 6,481,700. D. bears an interest of 8. p. cent, = 518,536. then 15,474,200. D. must be at 5 117 1000 p. cent =
512VIII. From Albert Gallatin, [on or before 16 November 1801] (Jefferson Papers)
I enclose some hasty remarks on the message— The incorrectness of the documents of exports of foreign articles compels me after much labour to abandon the plan on which I had intended to calculate the impost and, as the next best, I will prepare one in the following form which rests on documents on which we may depend, being those of duties & drawbacks actually paid. For each of the ten years...
513IX. Albert Gallatin’s Remarks on the Draft Message, [on or before 16 November 1801] (Jefferson Papers)
foreign powers friendly — effect if redress is meant, it seems wrong to raise expectations which probably will be disappointed— Quere whether Mr King’s negotiation should be hinted at? Indians Should not the attempt to treat be mentioned, stating also the determination not to press upon them any disagreeable demand? This to guard against any blame which the imprudence of the Commissrs. might...
514X. Albert Gallatin’s Memorandum on Reporting of Expenses, [on or before 16 November 1801] (Jefferson Papers)
Outlines &a. 1. Specific appropriations—for each object of a distinct nature, and one to embrace for each department all contingencies including therein every discretionary expenditure 2. Each appropriation to refer to a calendar year, & the surplus remaining unexpended after having satisfied the demands on the appropriation from that year, to be carried to the surplus fund; that is to say, to...
515XI. To James Madison, [16 November 1801 or after?] (Jefferson Papers)
Will you be so good as once more to revise this? altho’ I have not entirely obliterated all the passages which have been thought objectionable, yet I have very much reduced & smoothed them. still verbal & minor corrections of style or sentiment will be thankfully recieved & made. RC ( ViU ); undated, but perhaps written after TJ saw Gallatin’s remarks and made changes to the early draft....
516XII. Robert Smith’s Remarks on the Draft Message, [on or before 21 November 1801] (Jefferson Papers)
page 1st . I sent a small squadron of frigates into the Mediterranean with overtures of conciliation and with instructions to assure the Bey of Tripoli of my cordial disposition to preserve with him a State of peace; but with orders at the same time, in case of a declaration of war by that Regency, to protect our Commerce against depradation and our Citizens against Captivity. The Measure was...
517XIII. Fair Copy, First Annual Message, [by 27 November 1801] (Jefferson Papers)
Fellow citizens of the Senate & House of Representatives. Peace. It is a circumstance of sincere gratification to me, that on meeting the great council of our nation, I am able to announce to them, on grounds of reasonable certainty, that the wars & troubles, which have for so many years afflicted our sister-nations, have at length come to an end; & that the communications of peace & commerce...
518XIV. To Levi Lincoln, 27 November 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you the message on the state of the nation to be sent to Congress on their meeting. I will ask the favor of you to give it serious perusal & to favor me with such observations, corrections & queries as you may think expedient: to observe also on any negligences of style, which may be corrected without weakening expression: for wherever by a small sacrifice of the rigorous rules of...
519XV. Levi Lincoln’s Remarks on the Message, [ca. 27 November 1801–8 December 1801] (Jefferson Papers)
The Address. relieved from the danger— 2 page—3 line Quere—if the word from had not better be inserted as the word commerce understood is the object on which the verb seems immediately to operate Page 3d. — Quere, whether postage on newspapers had not better be added to the list of duties to be suspended. The means of instruction and of spreading knowledge are generally in all the States, not...
520To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, [12 November 1801] (Jefferson Papers)
Will you look at Mr Ingersoll’s acct. & letters? It was objected to by this Departt. as being too high; but the point to which I request your attention is this. Does it not seem as if Mr Ingersol in concert with Mr Dallas dist. atty. acting under your positive instructions, had abandoned the senatorial prosecution against Duane under the sedition law, because you thought this unconstitutional...
521Enclosure: Petition from Hopley Yeaton, 1 August 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Humbly shews, Hopley Yeaton of Portsmouth in the State of New Hampshire, that in the beginning of our revolutionary struggle, he served as third lieutenant on board the Raleigh frigate—that he was afterwards promoted to the first lieutenancy of the Deane frigate, in which capacity he served about five years—after which he became superintendent of the Navy yard at said Portsmouth, under the...
522From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 12 November 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
The supervisor of New hampshire (Rogers) was a revolutionary tory, I am therefore ready to change him. If we are to appoint a federalist at Cherryton’s, I have no doubt that Bowdoin is preferable to any other. his family has been among the most respectable on that shore for many generations. if however we have any means of enquiry we ought to avail ourselves of them. Mr. Read’s letter I...
523Enclosure: Draft of Message to the Senate, [before 12 November 1801] (Jefferson Papers)
By a resoln of the Senate of the 14th. of May. 1800. the President was requested to instruct the proper law officer to prosecute William Duane editor of the newspaper called the Aurora for certain publications in that newspaper of the 19th. of Feb. 1800. learning on my accession to the administration that the prosecution had been so instituted as to rest principally, if not solely, on the act...
524To Thomas Jefferson from Nicholas King, 12 November 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Nicholas King’s respects to Thomas Jefferson, and, begs his acceptance of the accompanying Drawing . Altho’ inferior in execution, to the work of an Artist, he hopes it will not be thought the less of, as the tribute of esteem. RC ( DLC ); endorsed by TJ as received 13 Nov. and so recorded in SJL . Enclosure not found, but see below. The enclosed drawing has not been identified, but TJ’s...
525Notes on Circuit Court Cases, 12 November 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Nov. 12. State. Statement of causes in Circuit courts of US. from 1st. instn to 1801. institd. decided dependt. N. Hampshire 111 99 12 R. Island 272 256 16 Mass. 284
526To Thomas Jefferson from Bowling Clark, 13 November 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of 26 Sept. & yours from Washinton came safe to hand, the Letter inclosed to Gipsen & Co. expect has answered my perpus in Richmond,—have delayed answering those two Letters in order to give you more sattisfactary acct. of your affairs hear—have layed of Mr Eppsis Land & Mr Randolphs the plats of which I inclose, am doutful you will not like the form of Mr Epps Land. I could not Lay it...
527To Thomas Jefferson from Gouverneur Morris, 13 November 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received your Favor of the first. Accept my Thanks for the Communications which it contains. Time will eventually give us whatever Great Britain may withhold in a commercial Treaty. It is probably fortunate for us that she had not the Good Sense to accede at an earlier Period to our reasonable Propositions. I am glad to find it is so clearly your Opinion that Spain will yield to proper...
528To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 13 November 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
As it is probable that the frigate Boston may remain on the Mediterranean Station, and as Capt McNeill would in such case be improperly continued in service contrary to the determination of the Executive , I have conceived that some arrangement ought to be made to prevent such an impropriety. The enclosed letters have been prepared with that view and are submitted to your Consideration. Be...
529To Thomas Jefferson from Willie Blount, 14 November 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Being disengaged this evening from such pursuits as generally engage my attention, and it occuring to me that I might not be considered an intruder, since I am one of those who admire your doings and quite willing and desirous that you should continue to preside as President of the United States so long as you may feel disposed to act in that way, and feeling desirous you should know merely...
530From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 14 November 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer hereof is mr Whitney of Connecticut a mechanic of the first order of ingenuity, who invented the Cotton gin now so much used to the South; he is at the head of a considerable gun manufactory in Connecticut, and furnishes the US. with muskets, undoubtedly the best they recieve. he has invented moulds & machines for making all the peices of his locks so exactly equal, that take 100...
531To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 14 November 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I Congratulate you on the success & good Fortune of the Squadron under Commodore Dale—Lieut Sterett’s success will Convince the Tripolitan & other Barbary Powers of the Truth of Mr. Cathcarts remark —(that they would not find the Americans like the Neopolitan Castratti) & I hope will tend to keep the other Powers in Peace with us—War having now Actually Commenced, It becomes a Duty to have a...
532To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 14 November 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Since writing my Letter of this Morning, Mr. John Donnell (one of our Republican & most wealthy Merchts.) put into my hand the Inclosed Letter from his Father in Law Mr. Isaac Smith on whose subject I have already written Mr. Gallatin . Mr. Smith was Collector under the King, is a man of Business highly respectable & Invariably a Whig—Mr. Bowdon is also his son in Law—Mr. Savage the New Member...
533To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, 15 November 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Il 28 del passato 7bre consegnai a Mr. Appleton un sacchettino, contenente dei noccioli di 4 qualità di Pesche, con un lettera cucitavi sopra e a Lei diretta, la quale non contenendo altro che la descrizione delle dette pesche, e ciò che riguarda La piantazione di quei noccioli, non ne mando copia, poichè sarebbe superflua senza i noccioli, e i noccioli non Le possono per venire senza la...
534Notes on a Consultation with Robert Smith, 15 November 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Nov. 15. Navy departmt. settled with mr Smith the following arrangement for the Navy the ensuing year. the Constitution now at Boston } to be employed in the Mediterranean. Adams N. York
535To Thomas Jefferson from James Workman, 15 November 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
This communication is addressed to you by one, who altho’ not a citizen of the American Republic, is nevertheless desirous of promoting her just interests from a long formed prepossession in her favor, as well as for various reasons derived from the present moral & political State of the World. To me it appears that an increase of her Power, if it could be justly & honorably obtained would at...
536Notes on the Funded Debt, [15 November 1801 or after] (Jefferson Papers)
Schedule of the funded debt of the US. Sep. 30. 1801. English Dutch Geneva Switzerland all other foreigners States Incorporated bodies Sinking fund Domestic individuals Total 6. p. cents 3,961,104.43 7,054,657.64 435,028.03 451,174.25 2,298,251.65 5,236,840.34 1,884,680.22 8,669,246.28 30,040,982.89
537From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 16 November 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I omitted in my last note to you to express my approbation of what you propose as to mr Nourse. his known integrity and every other circumstance of the case make it proper. it would seem by Genl. Smith’s letter that Isaac Smith of Northampton has been invariably a whig . if so there need be no further hesitation to appoint him for Cherriton’s, and the rather as he says that Bowdoin has...
538To Thomas Jefferson from Elisha Hinman, 16 November 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I beg leave to lay before his Excellency, Thomas Jefferson, President of the United States, some facts. In the year 1775 I left the best employ in this town being called upon by Government to accept a lieutenant’s commission in the navy—I raised 80 men and joined Commodore Hopkins in the Dellaware. He proceeded to New Providence, took possession of the Forts & town. Commodore Hopkins ordered...
539To Thomas Jefferson from George Jefferson, 16 November 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
The mad-man Stewart is again here. he has called on me for $:105—which I was obliged to let him have, or I supposed suffer him to go to Jail. The Captains a/c against him for six passages &C. was $:75.—& he could not he said do with less than 30 in addition. on my asking him if he had an order he informed me that you told him your former letter was sufficient. Our friend in Petersburg has not...
540To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, [16 November 1801] (Jefferson Papers)
J. Madison presents his respects to the President with a letter from Col. Burr & another from Col. Humphreys, the latter is a duplicate, with an exception of the postscript. J.M. has been so much indisposed since saturday evening that he could not call on the President, as he wished, in order to consult his intentions as to Mr. Thornton’s letter . If the President proposes to make it the...
541From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 16 November 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I am happy to hear that the children are likely to bear the attack of the whooping cough with vigour. it is a most unfortunate season for it to have come on; and I cannot but be anxious about them through the whole winter: consequently desirous to hear as often as possible how they are. my business I find will often prevent my writing by post. it is now got to a steady & uniform course. it...
542To Thomas Jefferson from David Turner, 16 November 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty to address you tho much in the rear of doing so,—I am not a person of Letters, and am in an Humble state, the deranged situation of my affairs has cast me so far to Leeward, that I do not know whither I shall be ever able to fetch up, which may perhaps disable me in what I now try to do—however this by the by— Give me leave Sir to Congratulate you on your Appointment to the...
543To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Waterhouse, 16 November 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
The vaccine matter , which you were so good as to transmit to me 4 or 5 weeks ago, on quills & on thread, has been tried. I communicated the genuine disease with some from one of the tooth-picks, but am not absolutely certain that it ever took from the thread. This induces me to make an observation that may be useful to your inoculators. I was, at first sight, suspicious of the goodness of the...
544To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Digges, 17 November 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I am very unwilling to trespass upon your time, but as my nephew Billy Carroll (a Clk. in the Auditors office) is going hence to the City and will wait upon you with this, I am inducd to solicit your reading the inclosd letter from Mr. Pinckney to me, and informing me whether you ever Rcd. the box and paper mentiond in His Lettr. The Box containd some very fine specimens of Coins, medals, &...
545To Thomas Jefferson from James Monroe, 17 November 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
The arrival of Mr. Purviance in the U States furnishes me with an occasion to make known to you his merit. He was a member of my family for sometime while I was in France, often present in my interviews with the French govt., and always in my confidence while I remain’d there, so that I speak of him without reserve, as a man of perfect integrity, excellent understanding & rare prudence. He is...
546To Thomas Jefferson from Moses Robinson, 17 November 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
The Bearer doctor Benjamin Robinson is a native of this town and a nephew of mine, Sustains a good moral Character, and has Acquired no inconsiderable knowledge in the Arts of Phisyck and Surgery—in the latter Especially he has made Proficiency in Practice he is Temperate, Sober, & Discreet in his General deportment, and I Consider him a promising young man he is of an enterprising make and...
547To Thomas Jefferson from James Sullivan, 17 November 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have, frequently been requested to introduce my friends to you, but have uniformly refused to comply. I have considered your time as the property of your country, and as being too important to be improved a moment on any thing I would propose. I cannot, however, refuse to join with many others in asking your attention to Colonel Lee of Marblehead. I formed an attachment to him on the plains...
548To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Adams, 18 November 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Doctr: Eustis will be so kind as to deliver you this Letter.—I am perswaded, you will find him a man of a candid and fair Mind and liberal sentiments.— I congratulate you on the return of Peace. The War both in America and Europe was designed by Tyrant Kings to exterminate those rights and liberties which the Gracious Creator has granted to Man, and to sink the happiness resulting therefrom in...
549From Thomas Jefferson to Aaron Burr, 18 November 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 10th . has been recieved, as have been those also of Sep. 4. & 23. in due time. these letters all relating to office, fall within the general rule which even the very first week of my being engaged in the administration obliged me to establish, to wit, that of not answering letters on office specifically, but leaving the answer to be found in what is done or not done on them....
550To Thomas Jefferson from a “Citizen,” 18 November 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
The evil of which I have to complain will certainly interesting the feelings of our beloved President so far as to devise some immediate remedy. The Supreme Court of Massachusetts have at length decreed that a Certificate of discharge under the insolvent or bankrupt Laws of the other States shall not be a bar in their Courts to demands originating before said insolvency or bankruptcy.— The...